Aqueduct: Candyman E proves capable pinch-hitter in Toboggan

OZONE PARK, N.Y. - Trainer David Jacobson couldn’t run his top sprinter Strapping Groom in Saturday’s Grade 3 Toboggan Stakes at Aqueduct. But he had a more-than-capable substitute to pluck off bench.

Candyman E, a horse Jacobson claimed for $62,500 in October, chased the pace-setting Dads Caps all the way around Aqueduct’s inner track, collaring him with about 30 yards to go to record a three-quarter-length victory in the $150,000 Toboggan. Dads Caps finished second, 2 1/2 lengths ahead of Non Stop. Sensational Slam, Praetereo - also trained by Jacobson - and Bet the Power completed the order of finish.

The complexion of the Toboggan changed Saturday morning when the Grade 1 winner Strapping Groom, the 3-5 morning-line favorite, was scratched due to a quarter crack. Don Tito also scratched.

Candyman E also defeated Dads Caps by three-quarters of a length to win the Dec. 13 Spooky Mulder Stakes here. The only difference was that day C.C. Lopez rode Dads Caps while Cornelio Velasquez rode Candyman E. Saturday, the roles were reversed.

Under Velasquez, Dads Caps jumped out on top and set fractions of 22.97 seconds for the quarter and 45.50 for the half-mile. Lopez kept Candyman E within 1 1/2 lengths of Dads Caps through those fractions. As was the case in the Spooky Mulder, Candyman E’s perseverance paid off as he caught Dads Caps late, covering six furlongs in 1:10.34. He returned $7.10 as the second choice. Candyman E, a 7-year-old gelding by Candy Ride, is now 10 for 21 in his career.

“I rode the horse that was second last time and this horse caught him last time, and I had no doubt he would catch him again given the right circumstance, and that’s the way it was,” said Lopez, who was a late arrival to Aqueduct Saturday due to traffic. “I just tried not to get too far out of it and stay close to him. He changed his leads, he punched, and that was the end of it.”

Jacobson, who owns Candyman E along with Al Gold’s Gold Square Stable, said he had confidence that Candyman E could get the job done in Strapping Groom’s absence.

“It’s a luxury to have two horses like Strapping Groom and now Candyman E to bounce back and forth to pick the best one to run, and today we picked the best one,” Jacobson said.